# 決して～ない（けっして～ない）: never; by no means

> Learn how to use 決して～ない（けっして～ない）, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning never; by no means, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-kesshite-nai/

**決して～ない（けっして～ない）** means **never; by no means**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **strongly deny or emphasize that something is not true**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral to formal** Japanese. If you want to **strongly deny or emphasize that something is not true**, **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does 決して～ない（けっして～ない） mean?

Use **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** when you want to **strongly deny or emphasize that something is not true**.

Natural translations include:
- never; by no means
- never
- never / by no means

## How to form 決して～ない（けっして～ない）

決して + Verbない / い-adjectiveくない / な-adjectiveではない / Nounではない

Examples of the pattern:
- 決して忘れない
- 決して安くない
- 決して簡単ではない

## When is 決して～ない（けっして～ない） used?

Use **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** in situations like:
- making a strong denial
- promising not to do something
- emphasizing that an assumption is wrong

Tone and register:
- neutral to formal
- Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

## 決して～ない（けっして～ない） example sentences

- この秘密は決して誰にも言いません。 — I will never tell this secret to anyone.
- 彼の説明は決して間違っていない。 — His explanation is by no means wrong.
- この問題は決して簡単ではない。 — This problem is by no means easy.
- 決してあきらめないでください。 — Please never give up.
- 私は決してあなたを責めているわけではありません。 — I am by no means blaming you.

## Nuance of 決して～ない（けっして～ない）

The key nuance is **a strong negative emphasis that sounds more forceful than 普通の「ない」**.

This matters because **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** does more than translate one English phrase. It tells the reader how the speaker is framing the situation, whether as emphasis, contrast, obligation, approximation, or evidence.

For example:
- In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
- Compared with **絶対に～ない**, it has a different focus and level of formality.

## 決して～ない（けっして～ない） vs 絶対に～ない

Both **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** and **絶対に～ない** can appear in related situations, but they are different.

**決して～ない（けっして～ない）**:
- means **never; by no means**
- fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

**絶対に～ない**:
- 絶対に～ない is common in speech and strong promises; 決して～ない feels more written, controlled, or emphatic

Quick contrast examples:
- Target: この秘密は決して誰にも言いません。 — I will never tell this secret to anyone.
- Compare: Try replacing it with **絶対に～ない** and check whether the nuance still matches.

## Common mistakes with 決して～ない（けっして～ない）

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Forgetting the negative ending after 決して
- Using it for a weak or casual “not really” statement
- Pairing it with positive verbs unless quoting an unusual style

## Is 決して～ない（けっして～ない） on the JLPT?

Yes. **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** grammar.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

## Practice questions for 決して～ない（けっして～ない）

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say you will never forget someone’s kindness.
- Say the plan is by no means impossible.
- Promise never to tell a secret.

## Learning path for 決して～ない（けっして～ない）

To learn **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** efficiently, review plain negation first, then practice stronger “no way / cannot” meanings with clear evidence.

1. First, make sure you can form **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with [わけがない](/blog/n3-wake-ga-nai/), [ようがない](/blog/n3-you-ga-nai/). These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where the context proves something is impossible or unlikely; then check whether replacing **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** with [切れない（きれない）](/blog/n3-kirenai/) changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next

- [わけがない](/blog/n3-wake-ga-nai/) — because it helps separate impossibility, strong negation, and inability.
- [ようがない](/blog/n3-you-ga-nai/) — because it helps separate impossibility, strong negation, and inability.
- [切れない（きれない）](/blog/n3-kirenai/) — because it helps separate impossibility, strong negation, and inability.
- [ないことはない](/blog/n3-nai-koto-wa-nai/) — because it helps separate impossibility, strong negation, and inability.
- [がたい](/blog/n3-gatai/) — because it helps separate impossibility, strong negation, and inability.

## Learn 決して～ない（けっして～ない） with Hane

If you want to review **決して～ない（けっして～ない）** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)